“Attempt To Justify Deliberate Killing Of Our Colleague”: Al Jazeera On Israel Calling Journalist Hamas Terrorist
Al Jazeera Media Network has vehemently rejected the accusations made by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) regarding the alleged involvement of their journalist, Ismail al-Ghoul who was killed by the IDF, with Hamas. The network condemned the allegations as a deliberate attempt to justify what they describe as the “deliberate killing” of al-Ghoul and his cameraman, Rami al-Refee, during an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.
The incident occurred on July 31, when the two journalists were covering the ongoing conflict in the Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Al Jazeera reported that al-Ghoul and al-Refee were killed while reporting on the aftermath of an Israeli air raid near the home of Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader.
In response to the deaths, the Israeli Defense Forces issued a statement claiming that al-Ghoul was not only a journalist but also a member of Hamas’ military wing. According to the IDF, al-Ghoul played a significant role in the group’s activities by instructing operatives on recording and publicizing attacks against Israeli forces. They described his actions as part of Hamas’ military operations and asserted that his elimination was part of their ongoing efforts to target those involved in the October 7 massacre.
However, Al Jazeera firmly denied these claims, stating that the accusations were baseless and lacked any concrete evidence. The network pointed out that al-Ghoul had been detained by Israeli forces in March 2024 during a raid on Al-Shifa Hospital, but was released shortly afterward without any charges, further debunking the claim of his affiliation with Hamas.
The network emphasised that al-Ghoul joined Al Jazeera in November 2023 and dedicated his career to covering the war in Gaza, focusing on documenting the atrocities committed by Israeli forces and the humanitarian crisis faced by Palestinians. They stressed that his only role was as a journalist, not as a combatant or operative.
Al Jazeera condemned what it described as Israel’s long history of using fabrications and false evidence to justify its actions, particularly against journalists. The network also highlighted the challenges faced by international journalists in gaining access to Gaza to report on the conflict, accusing Israel of attempting to silence independent reporting on the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the region.
In their statement, Al Jazeera called for an independent international investigation into the killings of their journalists and other media professionals in Gaza. They urged the international media to exercise caution and responsibility when reporting on claims made by Israeli forces, which they argue are often unsubstantiated and aimed at justifying unlawful actions.
Al Jazeera asserted their right to pursue all legal avenues to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable, underscoring their commitment to protecting their journalists and seeking justice for those who have been killed while doing their jobs.
